What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
squelched
Example
The mud squelched under my boots as I walked through the marsh. [squelched: verb]
Example
She felt her creativity being squelched by the strict rules of the art class. [squelched: past tense]
Example
The firefighters quickly squelched the flames before they could spread to nearby buildings. [squelched: past participle]
stifle
Example
She tried to stifle a yawn during the boring lecture. [stifle: verb]
Example
The government's policies stifled innovation and progress in the tech industry. [stifled: past tense]
Example
The pillow was used to stifle the sound of the victim's screams. [stifle: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stifle is more commonly used than squelched in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between squelched and stifle?
Both squelched and stifle can be used in formal and informal contexts, but squelched may be perceived as more casual or colloquial due to its association with physical sounds and actions.
